We’re thrilled to celebrate Elijah Kawinga, who earned an impressive 2nd Place at the recent Hackathon hosted by The Robotics Foundation! 🎉 His award-winning project, a robot that shreds weeds and sprays liquid pesticides, integrates IoT for mobile control via Wi-Fi—making farming smarter, more efficient, and less labor-intensive. 🚜💡 I74A0658 (1).jpg3.04 MB
Inspired by Local Farmers 🌱
Elijah’s journey was deeply rooted in understanding the real challenges faced by farmers. He approached Rita, a local farmer, to gain firsthand insight into the difficulties of managing weeds and efficiently spraying pesticides. Rita shared her struggles:
Labor-Intensive Work: "Weeding and spraying are time-consuming and require a lot of effort," Rita said.
Resource Inefficiency: "Over-spraying wastes pesticides, while under-spraying risks crop health."
Taking these challenges to heart, Elijah designed his robot to address these exact issues, offering a solution that saves time, reduces labor, and optimizes resource use.
Micromek STEM Program: The Foundation of Innovation
Elijah’s ability to bring this project to life stems from his training in the Micromek STEM and Arduino Program, where he learned the skills to combine robotics and IoT. Beyond his technical expertise, Elijah has always pushed boundaries, taking on voluntary work and inspiring others, making him a valued member of the Micromek family. 💪✨ I74A0515.jpg2.12 MB
SDGs in Action 🌍
Elijah’s project aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1️⃣ SDG 2: Zero Hunger - Enhancing farming efficiency to boost productivity and food security. 2️⃣ SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - Bridging traditional farming with advanced technology. 3️⃣ SDG 13: Climate Action - Promoting sustainable practices by reducing chemical overuse.
Elijah’s 2nd place finish is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and community-driven solutions. His journey shows how listening to local voices, like Rita’s, can lead to impactful change.
Join us in celebrating Elijah Kawinga’s incredible achievement and his commitment to solving real-world challenges through technology! 🌟🚀
MicroMek is a Malawian based hardware startup building low cost autonomous fixed wing and e-VTOL drones for the delivery of medicine in hard to reach areas & for environmental monitoring
